The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-23

Tho Future of tho knights of Labor.
The assemblies of the Knights of Labor
are beginning to elect delegates to the an
nual convention of the order, which meets
M Minneapolis in October, and in connec-
ton with these elections rumors are being
circulated that the Knights are not rs strong
as they once were. and that there are indi-
cations that their organization is under
going gradual disintegration.
1t is, of course, impossible to say how
much truth there is in these rumors, but
there is no doubt that there are a great
many faction fights, and many
thousands have either wholly with
drawn from the order or have
ceased to take an active interest in it.
a year or so ago the Fall River Assembly,
known as district No, 80, was the largest in
the organization. Now ranks only second
or third. 1t has lost a great many members,
and, it is said, is likely to lose great many
more. AT its meeting day or two ago for
the purpose of elccting delegates to the
Minneapolis convention great lack of har-
mony was noticeable. The assembly seemed
to be divided into two factions, and the lead
crs of each exhibited great bitterness toward
the other. The same condition of affairs is
reported TO exist in many of the other as
sCmbics
Two things have contributed to de
stroy the harmony of the Knights.
One is the fight against trades unions, and
the other is the lack of discipline The
dream Of the most enthusiastic of the
Knights has been to bind all the working
men in the country together in one great
organization, which, in an emergency, could
be handled like thoroughly drilled and
disciplined army With an organization
like that they felt that they could show
bold front to capital, and in contests with
it could come off victorious every time.
They have not been able to effect such an
organization, mainly because they cannot
control the trades unions. The unions,
even where they have joined the Knights,
have refused TO give up their trades organi-
cations, and they have been sustained by
a very strong minority of the knights.
This has brought about disscnsions and
caused many assertions Thinking men in
the order have been led to doubt whether
the leaders who devote so much time to fac
ton fights could properly attend to their
interests, and this doubt has made them in
different to the success of the organization.
1t is found to be much more difficult TO col
lect dues now than it was year or two ago,
and when dues are not paid it is quite evi-
dent that the members have lost much of
the interest they once felt in the order.
But, injurious as the faction fights are,
discipline. Mr.. Powderly and his executive
board have if reports are true, found it i'm
possible TO secure obedience to their orders
Statements now and then appear in the pub
lie prints that they are often openly defied,
and it is certain that the General Master
Workman has on a number of occasions
been harshly and even bitterly attacked
Strikes and boycotts have been inaugurated
without proper authority, and as they were
mainly inspired by passion and were with
out any material support, they generally
proved to be disastrous failures
Still, the order is a very powerful one,
and under proper direction may perhaps be
made to serve the purpose for which it was
originally intended. It will hardly be de
MED, however, that its prospects for success
are not as bright as they were, and that be
fore it can hope for success it must have
better discipline and management.